The essentials
When to go to Georgia, in brief
Spring and autumn: the sweet spot
May-June and September-October: 20-27°C in Tbilisi, dry, soft light. Perfect for the capital, the vineyards and the Caucasus roads.
Summer in the mountains, Jun-Sept
Prime season for hiking in Svaneti and around Kazbegi: clear skies, open trails. The Abano Pass to Tusheti stays open.
Batumi and the Black Sea
July-August are the beach high season, 20-27°C in the water. June and September offer just as good a climate with fewer people.
Tbilisi bakes in summer
July and August often top 35°C, sometimes 40°C in the lowlands. The capital is hard to walk in the full heat.
Rtveli, the wine harvest
Mid-September to mid-October in Kakheti: picking grapes, pressing at the satsnakheli, tasting. The best season for Georgian wine.
Winter and skiing
December to March: cold in the plains, snow at altitude. Gudauri and Bakuriani run at full tilt, the Caucasus turns to ski mode.
The verdict
The best periods
May-Jun, Sept-Oct
Mild, dry climate everywhere: city, vineyards, first and last hikes. September adds the harvest. The prime window.
Jul - Aug
Hot in Tbilisi (up to 40°C), but prime season for the Caucasus and the Batumi beach. Balance it against your plan.
Nov - Mar (off ski)
Cold, short days, closed mountain passes (Tusheti). Unless you are coming to ski at Gudauri or Bakuriani.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
1-7°C
Cold, snow, skiing
2-9°C
Cold, ski season
6-14°C
Cool, thaw
10-19°C
Spring, showers
14-24°C
Mild, green
18-28°C
Ideal, trails open
21-35°C
Hot, mountains and beach
21-35°C
Hottest in the plains
17-27°C
Ideal, harvest
10-20°C
Mild, autumn colors
5-13°C
Cool, first snows
1-8°C
Cold, ski begins
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi & lowlands | May-Jun, Sept-Oct: 20-27°C | Jul-Aug: up to 40°C, heavy | Ideal spring/autumn |
| Caucasus (Svaneti, Kazbegi) | Jun-Sept: 15-25°C, trails open | Oct-May: snow, passes closed | Ideal Jun-Sept |
| Black Sea coast (Batumi) | Jun-Sept: 20-27°C, warm water | Wetter, showers possible | Ideal Jun-Sept |
| Kakheti (vineyards) | May-Jun, Sept-Oct: mild | Harvest (Rtveli) Sept-Oct | Ideal Sept-Oct for wine |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Rtveli (wine harvest)
The traditional harvest in Kakheti: picking, pressing at the satsnakheli, tastings and songs. The Georgian wine season.
🇬🇪 Kakheti
Tbilisoba
Tbilisi's big festival: street markets, crafts, folk dances and concerts at Rike Park and Orbeliani.
🇬🇪 Tbilisi
Tusheti Cheese Festival
A celebration of mountain cheeses in the remote Tusheti region: producers, music and workshops, before the pass closes.
🇬🇪 Tusheti
Velvet Season (Batumi)
Late season on the Black Sea: crowds disperse, clear skies and water still warm enough to swim.
🇬🇪 Batumi
Our analysis
Georgia plays on the contrast between plain and mountain. The overall rule is clear: aim for spring or autumn for Tbilisi and the vineyards, summer for the Caucasus and the Black Sea.
Spring and autumn, the double window
From May to June and September to October, the climate hits its balance point: 20 to 27°C in Tbilisi, dry skies and soft light. It is the time for the old town, the monasteries, the Georgian Military Road and the first or last mid-altitude hikes. September adds a major draw: the harvest (Rtveli) in Kakheti, when grapes are picked and pressed at the satsnakheli.
Summer at altitude, winter at the ski resorts
From July to August, Tbilisi bakes, often above 35°C and sometimes up to 40°C in the lowlands. But it is the prime season for the Caucasus: Svaneti and Kazbegi open their trails, and the Abano Pass to Tusheti is only crossable in summer. It is also the beach peak in Batumi.
My firm advice: if you are after the mountains, go in July or August without hesitation, and dodge the capital during the hot hours. For everything else (city, wine, culture), stick to May-June or September-October. Winter is only worth it for skiing at Gudauri or Bakuriani, since the plain cold and closed passes spoil a classic tour.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Georgia? +
From May to June and September to October: 20-27°C in Tbilisi, dry, soft light. It is the ideal window for the city, the vineyards and the Caucasus.
What is the worst time to visit Tbilisi? +
July and August: the capital and lowlands often top 35°C, sometimes 40°C. The city is hard to walk in the full summer sun.
When to hike in the Caucasus (Svaneti, Kazbegi)? +
From June to September: clear skies, open and accessible trails. The Abano Pass to Tusheti is only crossable in summer, before the snows.
When is the wine harvest (Rtveli)? +
From mid-September to mid-October in Kakheti: grape picking, pressing at the satsnakheli and tastings. The best season for Georgian wine.
When to ski in Georgia? +
From December to March: Gudauri and Bakuriani run at full tilt. Outside skiing, winter is cold in the plains and several mountain passes are closed.
When to enjoy the beach in Batumi? +
From June to September: water at 20-27°C. June and September offer the same climate as the July-August high season, with far fewer people.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026